Darts team on target raising £4k for Jack

Jack Roycroft and his family receive a cheque for �4011.95 which was raised by the Mechanics Institute Darts Team who organised a charity darts event for the youngster who is currently fighting kidney cancer

Published:16:05Tuesday 28 March 2017

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The kindness and generosity of the Lurgan community and the big hearted fundraising efforts of the Mechanics Institute darts team has seen an amazing £4011.95 raised for nine-year old Jack Roycroft.

Jack faces a long period of chemotherapy and radiotherapy having had a tumour removed from his kidney before Christmas.

The P5 King’s Park pupil was told he had cancer just seven days after his ninth birthday and after hearing about Jack’s battle, the Mechanics Institute darts team set about organising a charity tournament.

Originally aiming to raise £500, the group have been blown away by the kindness of the public and local businesses as they smashed the £4,000 mark for Jack. “The planning for the event started in December as a wee tournament we were going to run in the hope of raising around £500 for Jack,” explained Jamie Serplus.

“The kindness of all of the Lurgan community, and beyond that, has not just been staggering but truly amazing. The whole town and everyone from all parts of it completely rallied around the whole notion.

“Without being too dramatic, it just showed the community spirit that a town has despite all our differences. Local sports clubs, small businesses and some large ones made their contributions. We had anonymous people and just those who wanted to do their bit in any way they could. The raffle of sporting memorabilia such as the Carl Frampton Glove, Northern Ireland shirt and the Phil Taylor shirt were particularly popular.

“The tournament epitomised that cause. We had people who travelled from all parts of the country to be there with 72 throwers taking part.”

When the tournament ended and all donations were added up, Jack and his family joined the members of the darts team for a special presentation.

“A total of £4011.95 was raised which was presented to Jack and his family, which will help them with his respite and care as he continues his brave fight,” added Jamie.

“The family have expressed how overwhelmed they have been by not just our fundraising but the many others doing the same for Jack.

“It was an absolute pleasure to have Jack and his parents attend the Club before a game so he could have a go at darts and receive his cheque. We were also delighted to give Jack his very own set of darts and dartboard and a surprise gift of a meet and greet with Sir Alex Ferguson in April for Jack and his family.”